How Many Mosquitos Have Zika? The Mosquitos With Zika Thrive In Certain Environments

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The Zika virus continues to be an important public health discussion as scientists and public health officials learn more about the risk of its transmission. The World Health Organization declared Zika a public health emergency back in February, and news of its spread and association with neurological disorders has only gotten worse since. So, how many mosquitoes have Zika? It's important to know everything about the disease and the types of mosquitoes that carry it.

A CDC report described the Aedes aegypti mosquito as small, dark, with white markings and banded legs. The Aedes aegypti can survive in tropical and subtropical climates year round, they prefer to bite indoors, and are prevalent in areas lacking piped water systems, the CDC reported. The Aedes aegypti mosquito also relies heavily on water containers, and the female Aedes aegypti bites to obtain blood in order to lay her eggs. Therefore, water bowls for pets, birdbaths, buckets, and clogged rain gutters are all examples of containers that attract this species by providing them an ideal habitat to live, according to the CDC.

The CDC did not indicate the exact number of the Aedes aegypti living in the United States (or what percentage of mosquitos the Aedes make up), but it released a map designating an estimation of where the specific mosquito species live. Southern states along the coast, like parts of California, Texas, and Florida, were highlighted, along with northern states, New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of Pennsylvania. The virus has spread to at least 50 countries, according to CNN, but so far there's been no mosquito-borne cases of Zika in the United States.

Check out this map showing where the CDC says scientists collected (over the past two decades) the mosquito... https://t.co/qTo03J49q1

Experts describe Aedes aegypti as “opportunistic”, as it shows a remarkable ability to adapt to changing environments, especially those created by changes in the way humanity inhabits the planet. Over the years, it has exploited these opportunities, which include phenomenal increases in international travel and trade and rapid unplanned urbanization, with striking efficiency.

The now Zika-carrying species was essentially eradicated in the Americas after the 1940's, WHO reported. But the Aedes aegypti made a dramatic comeback some 50 years later. You can read the CDC's updates on areas where reported Zika cases are most prevalent here.